Wagering game and method to play

ABSTRACT

A wagering game playable in a live setting or on an electronic gaming machine is disclosed. The embodiments of the wagering game include a means for generating two sets of random over/under numbers, one or more decks of cards and a game layout. The means for generating the over/number numbers may be a spinning wheel in combination with a wheel divider or an electronic random number generator. Once the over/under numbers are generated, players may place over/under, odd/even and posts wagers. Based on a value of two cards received by each players, the wagers are resolved. If the value of the two cards is 0 or 9, the player is dealt a third and final card. Then, based on the value of the three cards, the wagers are resolved. The posts wagers win if the value of a three card hand is 0 or 9. Tracking and displaying game outcomes is also disclosed.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The embodiments of the present invention relate to a wagering game. Moreparticularly, a wagering game utilizing playing cards in combinationwith a means for generating multiple sets of random numbers.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

As the popularity of gaming continues to explode, casinos and gamingestablishments strive for new and unique wagering games. Moreover, aselectronic gaming machines, including slot and video poker machines, nowoccupy the majority of casino floor space, casinos are in constant needof new table games to satisfy the segment of the gaming public thatfinds electronic gaming machines undesirable. Ideally, new wageringgames have a live table version and an electronic gaming machine versionto provide casinos with wagering games which satisfy all players.

Along with the need for new wagering games, the aforementionedpopularity has seen casinos and gaming manufacturers inundated with newwagering games. Unfortunately, many of the new wagering games sufferfrom significant drawbacks. In many cases the new games are complicated,require considerable time to resolve wagers and significantly favor thehouse. Contrarily, casinos desire wagering games which are easy tocomprehend, which permit quick wager resolution and which moderatelyfavor the house. Games with such features promote more plays of the gameper preestablished duration and generate significant revenue for thecasino regardless of the house advantage. Moreover, wagering gamesutilizing known gaming indicia, including playing cards, tend to attractplayers more readily than games relying on any new gaming indicia.

It is also apparent that wagering games which enhance or are similar topopular well-established wagering games, such as Blackjack, Baccarat,Roulette and Craps, have a head start at attracting players. Forexample, many side wagers related to Blackjack have become successful inthe casino industry.

The embodiments of the present game incorporate each of the desirablefeatures disclosed above. Nonetheless, the embodiments of the instantwagering game provide a new thrill and challenge for both experiencedand new gaming players.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the embodiments of the present invention utilize one ormore decks of cards, a means for generating two sets of random numbersand a game layout. In basic terms, players may wager that a combinedvalue of two or three dealt cards is within a set of over or undernumbers, are odd or even or match a maximum or minimum preestablishednumber. In some respects, the embodiments of the game have a slightresemblance to Baccarat.

In a first live embodiment of the game, players place wagers on a tablelayout designed for seven or more players. The players may placeover/under, odd/even and posts wagers. Initially, a set of random overnumbers and set of under numbers are generated with either a mechanicalspinning wheel or an electronic random number generator (RNG).

In an embodiment using the mechanical wheel, the wheel is used togenerate two sets of four unique random numbers between 1 and 8.Ideally, the numbers 1 through 8 are evenly spaced and consecutivelyarranged about the perimeter of the wheel. Alternatively, the numbers 1through 8 are evenly spaced and randomly arranged about the perimeter ofthe wheel. A divider bisects the wheel such that subsequent to each spinof the wheel four numbers are above the divider and four numbers arebelow the divider. The four numbers above the divider are the overnumbers and the four numbers below the divider are the under numbers.For example, in a consecutive number arrangement, the over numbers maybe 2-3-4-5 and the under numbers may be 6-7-8-1. When arrangedconsecutively, the set of over numbers and the set of under numbers willinclude 2 odd numbers and 2 even numbers each. In a random numberarrangement, the over numbers may be 1-2-6-8 and the under numbers maybe 3-4-5-7. When arranged randomly, there is no odd or even numberbreakdown with respect to the sets of over and under numbers. In eitherarrangement, there are eight unique possible over/under combinationswhen using the wheel.

In an embodiment using the RNG, seventy combinations are possible.However, for the sake of brevity only sets of over/under numbers eachhaving two even and two odds numbers are detailed herein. For othercombinations (e.g., a set of over numbers having three odd and one evennumber and a set of under numbers having three even and one odd number),new probabilities, odds and payouts must be determined. With the RNG,the two sets of random numbers formed by using each of the numbersbetween 1 and 8 are dynamic and can take any random pattern prior toeach activation of the RNG. For example, the over numbers may be 1-3-4-6and the under numbers may be 2-5-7-8.

Ideally, when using the wheel or RNG, a display device displays the setsof over and under numbers so that players know their values.

Once the set of over and set of under numbers are generated, the playersmay place over/under, odd/even or posts wagers. After all wagers havebeen placed, each player is dealt two face down cards. A two cardcombined hand value is then calculated by a dealer. Tens and face cardshave a value of zero, Aces have a value of one and the 2-9 cards havetheir depicted value. The calculated hand value is based on modulo 10.Therefore, two fives, which have a combined value of 10, are treated aszero, while a six and seven, which have a combined value of thirteen,are treated as three. In other words, the final hand value is equated tothe ones digit of the two digit number.

The over wager is won when the combined value of the player's two cardsmatches one of the four over numbers and the under wager is won when thecombined value of the player's two cards matches one of the four undernumbers. In a first payout schedule, players are paid 0.95 to 1 onwinning over/under wagers. Since the over/under wager is approximately a50-50 proposition, the first embodiment provides the house with a 5%commission. An alternative payout schedule is disclosed below.

The odd wager is won when the value of the player's cards is an oddnumber between 1 and 8 inclusive and the even wager is won when thevalue of the player's cards is an even number between 1 and 8 inclusive.In the first payout schedule, players are paid 1 to 1 on winningodd/even wagers.

If the combined value of the two cards is 0 or 9 (termed a “post”), theplayer is always dealt a third card. If the combined value of the threecards is 0 or 9, the posts wagers win. All other three card values(e.g., 1 through 8) result in a losing posts wager. Players are paid 8to 1 on winning posts wagers. If the combined value of the three cardsis 0 or 9, the over/under wager is deemed a tie such that wageringplayers push. For three card values of 0 or 9, players lose the odd/evenwager. If the combined value of the three cards is between 1 and 8inclusive, the over/under and odd/even wagers are paid out identicallyto the two card payouts disclosed above. In an alternative embodiment,winning over/under and odd/even wagers are paid 1 to 1 on combined handvalues between 1 and 8 inclusive. If three cards are dealt (i.e., a twocard value of 0 or 9), the players lose one-half of the over and underwagers on a combined three card value of 0 and push on a combined threecard value of 9. The payouts can be reversed so that a three card valueof 0 results in a push of the over and under wagers and a three cardvalue of 9 results in a loss of one-half of the over and under wager.Further, if three cards are dealt, the players lose one-half of the oddand even wagers on a combined three card value of either 0 or 9. Thisalternative payout schedule eliminates the necessity of the 5%commission. In practice, the elimination of the 5% commission creates acleaner and simpler game. Ultimately, the casinos offering the game willdecide on the preferred payout schedule.

In a second live version of the game, the layout is designed for sixplayers and a community hand. Players may elect to wager on their ownhand, the community hand or both. Non-seated players standing about thetable may wager on the community hand as well. In the player hands andcommunity hand embodiment, each player is dealt a two card hand alongwith a single two card community hand centrally positioned on thelayout. The same payout rules disclosed above apply to wagers on thecommunity hand. As will be discussed in greater detail, if no playerswager on the community hand, it is still dealt to ensure accurate gametrends.

In a third live version of the game, only a community hand is dealt. Inthe community hand embodiment, all players, whether seated at the tableor standing thereabout, only wager on the single dealt community hand.

Regardless of the embodiment of the game, it is preferred that theover/under numbers remain fixed for a preestablished duration. Forexample, the generated random numbers may remain fixed for sixty handsof play. Other durations of time are contemplated herein. The idea is togenerate a trend of game outcomes that players rely on in an effort tobeat the embodiments of the game. Much like Roulette where a displaydevice records the previous twenty or so game outcomes, the instant gamemay utilize a display device to show a preestablished number of previousgame outcomes. Preferably, the display device records all community handoutcomes associated with the duration of each set of random numbers.Alternatively, the over/under numbers may be altered for each play ofthe game.

Some of the embodiments of the instant game can also be facilitated byan electronic gaming machine. Said electronic game embodiments are setforth in detail below. Additionally, other rules, variations,enhancements and embodiments of the game disclosed herein are describedin great detail below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a first table game layout;

FIG. 2 illustrates a mechanical wheel for generating two sets of randomnumbers;

FIG. 3 illustrates a table of possible over/under outcomes associatedwith the mechanical wheel;

FIG. 4 illustrates a table of possible over/under outcomes, having twoodd and two even over/under numbers, associated with a random numbergenerator;

FIG. 5A illustrates a flow chart outlining a sample play of a firstembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5B illustrates a flow chart outlining a sample play of a secondembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 illustrates a first pay table and an associated house edge;

FIG. 7A illustrates a second pay table and an associated house edge;

FIG. 7B illustrates an alternative second pay table and an associatedhouse edge;

FIG. 8 illustrates a second table game layout;

FIG. 9 illustrates a display device associated with tracking gametrends;

FIG. 10 illustrates the display device with displayed outcomes;

FIG. 11 illustrates the display device with additional displayedoutcomes;

FIG. 12 illustrates the display device with displayed outcomes from theprevious twenty-five games; and

FIG. 13 illustrates a gaming machine for facilitating a gaming machineversion of the embodiments of the game.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference is now made to the figures wherein like parts are referred toby like numerals throughout. FIG. 1 illustrates a first table layoutgenerally designated as reference numeral 100. The layout 100incorporates seven over/under wager areas 110-1 through 110-7, sevenodd/even wager areas 120-1 through 120-7 and seven posts wager areas130-1 through 130-7. The layout 100 is only illustrative and mayincorporate more or less than seven player positions.

The over/under wager areas 110-1 through 110-7 are spaced such that eacharea 110-1 through 110-7 corresponds to a player seat position. Eachover/under wager area 110-1 through 110-7 is divided into an over wagersection and an under wager section. Therefore, if desired, players placetheir wager in either the over section or the under section. Theodd/even wager areas 120-1 through 120-7 are adjacent to the over/underwager areas 110-1 through 110-7. Each odd/even wager area 120-1 through120-7 is divided into an odd section and an even section. Again, playersdesiring to make said odd/even wager place their wager in either the oddsection or the even section. The seven posts wager areas 130-1 through130-7 are centrally located along an upper edge of the table layout 100.

Adjacent to each of the wager areas is a payout associated with thespecific wagers. As shown on layout 100, winning even/under wagers pay0.95 to 1, winning odd/even wagers pay 1 to 1 and winning posts wagerspay 8 to 1. Alternative payout schedules are also contemplated and aredetailed below.

Now referring to FIG. 2, a mechanical spinning wheel 200 includes thenumbers 1 through 8 arranged consecutively thereon. Alternatively, thenumbers 1 through 8 can be randomly arranged on the wheel 200. Ahorizontal divider 210 separates the wheel 200 into an over section 220and an under section 230. Thus, upon each spin of the wheel, the divider210 defines four over numbers 220 and four under numbers 230.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, the wheel 200 provides eight possible uniquesets of random over/under numbers. The resultant over/under numbers arethen displayed on a display device 600 as illustrated in FIG. 9. Therandomly generated over/under numbers remain fixed for a preestablishedduration. For example, the random over/under numbers may remain fixeduntil an entire shoe of six decks of cards are played or until sixtyhands are played. Conceivably, any duration and correspondingmeasurement criteria may be used.

As further illustrated in FIG. 2, the divider has the numbers 0 and 9depicted on opposite ends thereof. The numbers 0 and 9 are deemedneither odd nor even for purposes of the embodiments of the game but aretermed “posts” numbers. The significance of the posts numbers 0 and 9 isset forth below.

Instead of the wheel 200, an electronic random number generator (RNG)may be used to create the sets of random over/under numbers. Althoughthe use of an RNG provides seventy over/under number combinations,thirty-six sets of over/under numbers are shown in FIG. 4. Forsimplicity, only the combinations having two even and two odd over/undernumber sets are illustrated. In other combinations (e.g., a set of overnumbers having three odd and one even number and a set of under numbershaving three even and one odd under number), new probabilities, odds andpayouts are involved. Moreover, the seventy over/under numbercombinations include outcomes such that the over numbers are either allodd or all even (the under numbers would then be either all even or allodd, respectively). Based on the over/under and odd/even wager payouts,it is illogical to provide sets of over/under numbers comprised ofeither all odd or all even numbers. Therefore, the RNG is eitherprogrammed to eliminate such combinations, or if such combinations doappear, the RNG is reactivated to create a new set of over/under numbershaving both odd and even combinations. The use of the RNG provides adynamic model, rather than a fixed wheel 200, and the RNG may providerandomly selected over/under numbers during each activation of the RNG.As with the wheel 200, the randomly generated numbers are displayed onthe display device 600 shown in FIG. 9 and remain fixed for apreestablished duration.

FIG. 5A illustrates a flow chart detailing a sample play of a firstembodiment of a live version of the game. At step 400, a dealer spinsthe wheel 200 or activates the RNG to generate the over/under numbers.Players then place their wagers at step 410. Once all wagers have beenplaced, each player is dealt, at step 420, two face down cards. Thecards are dealt in a clockwise fashion. Thereafter, at step 430, thedealer calculates a first player's hand value. The hand value iscalculated by adding the value of both cards. Tens and face cards have avalue of zero, Aces have a value of one and cards 2-9 have theirdepicted value. Based on the combined value of the two cards, the dealereither resolves the wagers or deals a third card.

The final combined hand value is based on the modulo 10 value of thecombination. In other words, a two card hand having a combined value of10 or more results in a hand value equal to the digit in the onesposition. For example, a two card value of 13 has a hand value of 3 forgame purposes. At step 440, if the player's hand value is 1 through 8inclusive, the dealer resolves the first player's over/under, odd/evenand posts wagers at step 450. The over/under wager is resolved bycomparing the player's hand value to the sets of random over/undernumbers defined by the wheel 200 or RNG. The odd/even wagers areresolved by determining whether the hand value is odd or even. If thevalue of the two card hand is 1 through 8 inclusive, the posts wager islost. As described below, if the two card value is 0 or 9, additionalgame steps are performed.

If the value of the initial two cards is not 1 through 8 inclusive, itmust be 0 or 9 and the dealer then deals the player a third and finalcard at step 460. At step 470, if the three card hand value is 1 through8 inclusive, the over/under, odd/even and posts wagers are resolved atstep 450 identically to the two card hands having values 1 through 8inclusive. If the three card hand value is 0 or 9, at step 480, thedealer resolves the over/under, odd/even and posts wagers in analternative manner. One such manner is shown in FIG. 6. The steps shownin FIG. 5A are repeated for each wagering player's hand.

As shown in FIG. 6, in a first pay table when the value of the two cardhand or three card hand is 1 through 8 inclusive, winning over/underwagers pay 0.95 to 1, winning odd/even wagers pay 1 to 1 and postswagers are lost. The winning over/under wagers include a 5% commissionfor the house. If the value of the two card hand is 0 or 9, players aredealt a third card. Then, if the three card hand value is 0 or 9,over/under wagers push, odd/even wagers lose and posts wagers win andpay 8 to 1. The final column of the first pay table shows thecorresponding house edge when one deck of cards is in play. Also, it isnoted that the pay table, more particularly the house edge, correspondsto thirty-six sets of over/under numbers wherein both the set of overnumbers and the set of under numbers include two even and two oddnumbers. Alternative house edges occur when all seventy combinations areconsidered.

FIG. 5B shows a second flowchart detailing a second embodiment of thepresent invention. More particularly, the flowchart follows a secondpayout schedule associated with the three card hands. Thus, theflowchart depicted in FIG. 5B is the same as the flowchart depicted inFIG. 5A up to and including step 470. However, unlike the payoutschedule detailed in FIG. 5A, the alternative payout schedule makes adistinction between a three card having a value of 0 and a three cardhand having a value of 9. Thus, at step 470, if the value of the threecard hand is 0, the player's over/under, odd/even and posts wagers areresolved at step 490. If, at step 470, the value of the three card handis 9, the player's over/under, odd/even and posts wagers are resolved atstep 495. Payout schedules for resolving the wagers at steps 490 and 495are set forth in FIGS. 7A and 7B. The steps of the flowchart depicted inFIG. 5B are repeated for each player.

As shown in FIG. 7A, in a second pay table when the value of the twocard hand or three card is 1 through 8 inclusive, winning over/underwagers pay 1 to 1, odd/even wagers pay 1 to 1 and posts wagers are lost.Effectively, the 5% commission has been eliminated. The commissionrevenue is accounted for with a new payout schedule associated with thethree card hands having a value of 0 or 9. Accordingly, if the threecard hand value is 0, over/under wagers lose one-half, odd/even wagerslose one-half and posts wagers win and pay 8 to 1. If the three cardhand value is 9, over/under wagers push, odd/even wagers lose one-halfand posts wagers win and pay 8 to 1. The corresponding house edgeassociated with one deck of cards is also illustrated in the finalcolumn of the second pay table. Again, it is noted that the pay table,more particularly the house edge, corresponds to thirty-six sets ofover/under numbers wherein both the set of over numbers and the set ofunder numbers include two even and two odd numbers. Alternative houseedges occur when all seventy combinations are considered. FIG. 7Billustrates a pay table wherein the payouts corresponding to three cardvalues of 0 and 9 are reversed. Accordingly, if the three card handvalue is 9, over/under wagers and odd/even wagers lose one-half andposts wagers win 8 to 1. In addition, if the three card hand value is 0,over/under wagers push, odd/even wagers lose one-half and posts wagerswin and pay 8 to 1. Moreover, the house edge is slightly different thanset forth in the pay table of FIG. 7A.

In a second live version of the game, a community hand is dealt and, ifdesired, can be wagered upon. FIG. 8 illustrates a second table layoutgenerally designated as reference numeral 500. The layout 500incorporates six over/under wager areas 510-1 through 510-6, sixodd/even wager areas 520-1 through 520-6, six posts wager areas 530-1through 530-6, a community hand over/under wager area 540, a communityhand odd/even wager area 543 and a community hand posts wager area 545.The layout 500 is only illustrative and may incorporate more or lessthan six player positions.

The play of the second live version is identical to the first liveversion except for the deal of a community hand. The community hand maybe wagered on by all seated players and players standing about thetable. Although the community hand may be dealt in any pattern alongwith the player hands, it is preferably dealt last. A dealer handles thecommunity hand in this embodiment. The community hand provides severaladvantages. A first advantage arises in situations where each playerposition is occupied. Now non-seated players desiring to place wagersmay place one or more wagers on the community hand. The seated playersmay also wager on the community hand solely, on their own hand or onboth. A second advantage of the community hand is the ability to trackand display the trends associated therewith.

Tracking previous wagering game outcomes is not new. In fact, Baccaratand Roulette provide players with an outcome history in the form of adisplay that shows previous game outcomes. In many instances, playersutilize the trends to influence the wagers they make. For example,Roulette players may be influenced to place a wager on “black” when theyobserve that the previous six winning numbers were “red.” Similarly,Baccarat players may be influenced to bet on the “bank” when the displayshows that the “player” has won the last four hands. While the historyof game outcomes plays no role in determining the next game outcome,players are nonetheless influenced by the trends. Moreover, a majorityof Baccarat and Roulette players now demand that the trends bedisplayed.

As shown in FIG. 9, a display device 600 incorporates two grids 610 and620. A first grid 610 is used to track the over/under outcomes and asecond grid 620 is used to track the odd/even outcomes. Each grid 610and 620 has a corresponding legend 630 and 640, respectively, whichdisplays the color and symbol associated with over, under, odd, and evenoutcomes. In practice, the circles of the over/under grid 610 aredifferent colors to denote an over result and an under result.

An over/under number indicator 635 displays the over and under numbersfor their fixed duration. While the indicator 635 may take any form, asoccer ball is shown. The posts numbers are shown adjacent to a soccergoal 645. For reasons set forth below, a sports theme is contemplatedwith regard to the embodiments of the game. A bottom portion 650 of thedisplay device 600 is used to show the most recent outcomes of the game.A game number indicator 660 displays the number of the current game. Thegame number is important to alert players to how many hands areremaining for the current set of fixed over and under numbers.

FIGS. 10 and 11 illustrate game outcomes depicted on the bottom portion650. Specifically, FIG. 10 illustrates that the three card value of thecommunity hand is a 0 or 9 (i.e., “hit the posts”) and furtherillustrates that the over/under wagers push and the odd/even wagers loseunder the payout schedule adopted. FIG. 11 illustrates that the two cardvalue of the community hand is 8 and based on that value the under andeven wagers are winners.

FIG. 12 illustrates the display device 600 showing the outcomes from theprevious 25 games. The method of tracking shows trends in the verticalcolumns and then along the bottom row if necessary. For example, thedisplay shows that the first two values of the community hand were 1 and4 and both numbers were over. The back-to-back over results are shownwith the two circles in the first vertical column in the over/under grid610. Since 1 is odd and 4 is even, the odd/even grid 620 shows thenumber 1 and 4 in adjacent columns. An under trend is shown in thefourth column of the over/under grid 610. The trend comprises 9 straightcommunity hand values which were under. The trend is figured by addingthe six consecutive under outcomes along the column and the threeadditional consecutive under outcomes along the bottom row.

Within the over/under grid 610, posts (i.e., 0 or 9 values) areindicated using numerals 670 within the over/under circles. Any numberabove one indicates that two or more consecutive posts occurred.Therefore, a numeral 2 indicates that two consecutive community handsresulted in a 0 or 9 value. Within the odd/even grid 620, posts areindicated using a series of slashes 680. If multiple consecutiveoutcomes are posts, the series of slashes 680 can be both horizontal andvertical. For example, a number sign (#) indicates that four consecutiveoutcomes were posts. While the detailed description of tracking trendshas been set forth above, many other tracking methods may be used toprovide players with game trend information.

In a third live version of the game, only a community hand is dealt andwagered upon. The layout for the third version is nearly identical tothe layout 500 for the second version except that the community handover/under wager area 540, community hand odd/even wager area 543 andthe community hand posts wager area 545 may be depicted in a largerformat or may be highlighted by other identification means toimmediately denote that all players are wagering on a single communityhand. In this third version, seated players and standing players placeall wagers on a single dealt community hand. Each of the rules fromabove apply to this third version as well. Such an arrangement creates agreat deal of excitement when multiple players gather about the tableand collectively celebrate winning wagers.

To provide a slight amount of player interaction, if a seated player hasplaced the largest wager at the table, the player handles the cards(i.e., the player acts as the dealer). Otherwise, if a standing playerplaces the largest wager, the dealer handles the cards.

At least the third live version of the present game may also befacilitated by an electronic gaming machine. FIG. 13 illustrates anelectronic gaming machine, generally designated as reference numeral800, of the type that may be used to implement the embodiments of thepresent invention in an electronic format. The external features of thegaming machine 800 include a display 810, wager selection buttons 820, amaximum wager button 830, a single denomination wager button 840, a cardreader 850, a coin slot 860, a credit display 870 and a bill reader 880.While not shown, the gaming machine 800 can also incorporate a ticketreader and printer for facilitating cashless play.

The operation of the gaming machine 800 is controlled by amicroprocessor that communicates with an internal memory device and theexternal features of the machine. The microprocessor also incorporates,or communicates with, a RNG which ensures the randomness of theover/under numbers and the cards dealt during the play of the game.Since the technology for controlling gaming machines is well known tothose skilled in the art, the subtle details are not described herein.

Once implemented in the electronic format, a sample play of the game mayproceed as described hereinafter. A player first inputs a wager by usingthe coin slot 860, bill reader 880 or the ticket reader. The wager caneither be in the form of a single denomination wager (e.g. $5) or theplayer may insert a larger amount of money which the machine 800displays on the credit display 870 so that the player can play onregistered credit. On credit, the player may use the maximum wagerbutton 830 or the single denomination wager button 840 to select thedenominations of the over/under, odd/even and/or posts wagers. Themachine may also incorporate touchscreen technology to allow the playerto select the wagers and amounts by touching portions of the display810.

Then the processor, more particularly the (RNG) in communication withthe processor, causes the over/under numbers to be randomly generated.Once generated the over/under numbers are displayed on the display 810in a manner similar to the live version. To add to the level ofexcitement, the display 810 may show a simulated wheel spinning to astop with the over numbers defined above a simulated wheel divider andthe lower numbers defined below the simulated divider. In this manner,the thirty-six unique outcomes whereby both the over set and under setof numbers include two even and two odd numbers (as indicated abovethere are actually seventy total combinations) are available in a wheelformat. Then, the RNG selects two cards and prompts the processor todisplay a single two card hand. Based on the selected wagers, thedisplayed two cards and one or more preestablished pay tables stored inthe memory device of the gaming machine 800, the processor determinesthe amount of any payouts. The payouts can be delivered to the player incoins or may be added to the credit total of the player displayed on thecredit display 870. If the two card hand value is 0 or 9, the RNGselects a third card and prompts the processor to display the third cardafter which the processor determines the payouts based on the value ofthe three card hand.

The display 810 also displays the previous game outcomes in a formatsimilar to the live version display device 600. However, the outcomesare now displayed on a portion of the display 810 of the gaming machine800.

In a conventional fashion, the preestablished payouts of the gamingmachine 800 may be depicted on an external surface 890 of the gamingmachine 800. Typically gaming machines have printed or etched glassdepicting, game names, game rules, pay tables and generally anyinformation related to the game being facilitated by the gaming machine.

In the gaming machine embodiment, the over/numbers can be much moreflexible. For example, if a first player leaves a machine after lessthan sixty hands have been played, a second player may begin where thefirst player left off. In other words, the over/numbers remain fixed forthe sixty hands regardless of the number of players which play themachine. Alternatively, the player may be permitted to cause the machine800 to randomly re-select new over/under numbers by depressing a“re-select button” (not shown) incorporated on the gaming machine 800.In another alternative, the player is provided means to select theover/under numbers of his or her choice. The processor will cause thedisplay of the previous game outcomes to reset for each new set ofover/under numbers selected. Ideally, whether determined by re-selectionor player choice, the sets of over/under numbers each include two evenand two odd numbers to stabilize the house edge.

While not shown, it is also common to allow multiple players toparticipate in a wagering game facilitated by a single gaming machine.For example, horse racing and roulette are both implemented in gamingmachines playable by multiple players. Such gaming machines typicallyinclude a display viewable by multiple players and includes a pluralityof player wager areas which act as interfaces between the players andthe gaming machine. In such an arrangement, the table game version ofthe game is played in an electronic format. Players may then wager onboth their own hands and a community hand by depositing money into themachine. Once the gaming machine generates the over/under numbers, thenall players may place their wagers. Then, the gaming machine dealsplayers their cards. The gaming machine then follows the rules of thegame and issues player payouts corresponding to the player wagers.

The gaming machine 800 and live versions may also follow a sports theme.The underlying concept of the present game is that the over/under wagersrelate to sports wagering and the term “posts” relate to field goalposts or soccer goal posts. The applicant has named the embodiments ofthe game “Universal Cup Football.” In promoting the sports theme, thedisplay device 600 and/or the gaming machine display 810 may incorporatevideo clips of soccer or American football when the three card value is0 or 9. For example, the video may show a soccer ball or footballhitting a soccer goal post or field goal post, respectively. Moreover,the over/under number indicator can take the shape of an Americanfootball as well as the previously described soccer ball.

While specific numbers of cards, card values, over/under numbers andrelated game information have been described in detail, they are notmeant to limit the scope of this patent to these specific criteria.Therefore, although the invention has been described in detail withreference to a preferred embodiment, additional variations andmodifications exist within the scope and spirit of the invention asdescribed and defined in the following claims.

1. A method of playing a wagering game using one or more decks of cardscomprising: generating a set of random over numbers and a set of randomunder numbers from a group of numbers; accepting one or more wagers fromone or more players; dealing each wagering player one or more cards;determining a value of the one or more player cards; resolving anover/under player wager by determining whether the value of the one ormore cards is in the set of over numbers or in the set of under numbers;and if said value is equal to one or more preestablished numbers outsidethe preestablished range, dealing the player an additional final cardand resolving the over/under wager by determining whether the value ofall player cards is in the set of over numbers or in the set of undernumbers.
 2. The method of claim 1 wherein resolving an odd/even playerwager comprises determining whether the value of the one or more playercards is odd or even.
 3. The method of claim 1 wherein generating theset of random over numbers and the set of random under numbers isaccomplished by using a rotatable wheel, having a plurality of numbersdepicted thereon, in combination with a wheel divider.
 4. The method ofclaim 1 wherein generating the set of random over numbers and the set ofrandom under numbers is accomplished by using an electronic randomnumber generator.
 5. The method of claim 1 wherein modulo 10 is used todetermine the value of the one or more player cards.
 6. The method ofclaim 1 wherein an additional final card is dealt to each wageringplayer receiving one or more cards having a value of 0 or
 9. 7. Themethod of claim 6 wherein resolving a posts player wager comprisesdetermining whether the value of all player cards is 0 or
 9. 8. Themethod of claim 1 wherein the set of random over numbers and the set ofrandom under numbers each include four unique numbers between 1 and 8.9. A method of playing a wagering game using one or more decks of cardscomprising: prior to each new game, generating a new set of random overnumbers and a new set of random under numbers from a group of numbers;accepting one or more wagers from one or more players, said wagers beingplaced on either a player hand, a community hand or both; dealing eachwagering player one or more cards; dealing one or more cards to form acommunity hand; determining a value of the one or more player cards andthe two card community hand; resolving an over/under player wager on theplayer's hand by determining whether the value of the one or more playercards is in the set of over numbers or in the set of under numbers; ifsaid value is equal to one or more preestablished numbers outside thepreestablished range, dealing the player an additional final card andresolving the over/under wager by determining whether the value of allplayer cards is in the set of over numbers or in the set of undernumbers; and resolving an over/under player wager on the community handby determining whether the community hand is in the set of over numbersor in the set of under numbers.
 10. The method of claim 9 whereinresolving an odd/even player wager on the players hand comprisesdetermining whether the value of the one or more player cards is odd oreven; and resolving an over/under player wager on the community hand bydetermining whether the value of the community cards is odd or even. 11.The method of claim 9 wherein generating the set of random over numbersand the set of random under numbers is accomplished by using a rotatablewheel, having a plurality of numbers depicted thereon, in combinationwith a wheel divider.
 12. The method of claim 9 wherein generating theset of random over numbers and the set of random under numbers isaccomplished by using an electronic random number generator.
 13. Themethod of claim 9 wherein modulo 10 is used to determine the value ofthe one or more player cards and the community cards.
 14. The method ofclaim 9 wherein each wagering player and the community is dealt anadditional final card when the player or the community is dealt one ormore cards having a value of 0 or 9, respectively.
 15. The method ofclaim 14 wherein resolving a posts player wager on the player's hand orthe community hand comprises determining whether all the player cards orall the community cards is 0 or 9, respectively.
 16. The method of claim9 wherein the set of random over numbers and the set of random undernumbers each include four unique numbers between 1 and
 8. 17. The methodof claim 9 wherein the value of the one or more community cards isdisplayed on a display device.
 18. The method of claim 14 wherein thevalue of the one or more community cards is displayed on a displaydevice.
 19. A method of playing a wagering game using one or more decksof cards comprising: generating a set of random over numbers and a setof random under numbers from a group of numbers; accepting one or morewagers from one or more players, said wagers being placed on a communityhand; dealing one or more cards to form a community hand; determining avalue of the community cards; resolving an over/under player wager bydetermining whether the value of the one or more community cards is inthe set of over numbers or in the set of under numbers; and if saidvalue is equal to one or more preestablished numbers outside thepreestablished range, dealing the player an additional final card andresolving the over/under wager by determining whether the value of allplayer cards is in the set of over numbers or in the set of undernumbers.
 20. The method of claim 19 wherein resolving an odd/even playerwager comprises determining whether the value of the one or morecommunity cards is odd or even.
 21. The method of claim 19 whereingenerating the set of random over numbers and the set of random undernumbers is accomplished by using a rotatable wheel, having a pluralityof numbers depicted thereon, in combination with a wheel divider. 22.The method of claim 19 wherein generating the set of random over numbersand the set of random under numbers is accomplished with an electronicrandom number generator.
 23. The method of claim 19 wherein modulo 10 isused to determine the value of the one or more community cards.
 24. Themethod of claim 19 wherein an additional final card is dealt to thecommunity hand when the one or more community cards has a combined valueof 0 or
 9. 25. The method of claim 24 wherein resolving a posts playerwager comprises determining whether the value of all community cards is0 or
 9. 26. The method of claim 25 wherein the set of random overnumbers and the set of random under numbers each include four uniquenumbers between 1 and
 8. 27. The method of claim 19 wherein the value ofthe community cards is displayed on a display device.
 28. The method ofclaim 24 wherein the value of all community cards is displayed on adisplay device.
 29. A method of playing a wagering game using one ormore decks of cards comprising: generating a set of random over numbersand a set of random under numbers; accepting one or more wagers from oneor more players; dealing each wagering player one or more cards;determining a value of the one or more player cards; if said combinedvalue is within a preestablished range, resolving an over/under playerwager by determining whether the value of the one or more player cardsis in the set of over numbers or in the set of under numbers; and ifsaid value is equal to one or more preestablished numbers outside thepreestablished range, dealing the player an additional final card andresolving the over/under wager by determining whether the value of allplayer cards is in the set of over numbers or in the set of undernumbers.
 30. The method of claim 29 wherein resolving an odd/even playerwager comprises determining whether the value of the one or more playercards is odd or even.
 31. The method of claim 29 wherein resolving aposts player wager comprises determining whether the value of all playercards is 0 or
 9. 32. A method of playing a wagering game using one ormore decks of cards comprising: generating a set of random over numbersand a set of random under numbers; accepting one or more wagers from oneor more players; dealing one or more cards to form a community hand;determining a value of the community cards; if said value is within apreestablished range, resolving an over/under player wager bydetermining whether the value of the one or more community cards is inthe set of over numbers or in the set of under numbers; and if saidvalue is equal to one or more preestablished numbers outside thepreestablished range, dealing an additional final community card andresolving the over/under wager by determining whether the value of allcommunity cards is in the set of over numbers or in the set of undernumbers.
 33. The method of claim 32 wherein resolving an odd/even playerwager comprises determining whether the value of the one or morecommunity cards is odd or even.
 34. The method of claim 32 whereinresolving a posts player wager comprises determining whether a value ofall community cards is 0 or
 9. 35. A method of playing a wagering gameusing one or more decks of cards comprising: generating a set of randomover numbers and a set of random under numbers; accepting one or morewagers from one or more players, said wagers being on a player hand, acommunity hand or both; dealing each wagering player one or more cards;dealing one or more cards to form a community hand; determining a valueof the one or more player cards and the one or more community cards; ifsaid value of the player hand is within a preestablished range,resolving an over/under player wager on the player's hand by determiningwhether the value of the one or more player cards is in the set of overnumbers or in the set of under numbers; if said value of the player handis equal to one or more preestablished numbers outside thepreestablished range, dealing the player an additional final card andresolving the over/under player wager on the player's hand bydetermining whether the value of all the player cards is in the set ofover numbers or in the set of under numbers; if said value of thecommunity hand is within a preestablished range, resolving an over/underplayer wager on the community hand by determining whether the value ofthe one or more community cards is in the set of over numbers or in theset of under numbers; and if said value of the community hand is equalto one or more preestablished numbers outside the preestablished range,dealing an additional final community card and resolving the over/underplayer wager on the community hand by determining whether the value ofall community cards is in the set of over numbers or in the set of undernumbers.
 36. The method of claim 34 wherein resolving an odd/even playerwager on the player's hand comprises determining whether the value ofthe one or more player cards is odd or even; and resolving an odd/evenplayer wager on the community hand by determining whether the value ofthe one or more community cards is odd or even.
 37. The method of claim34 wherein resolving a posts player wager on the player's hand comprisesdetermining whether the value of the one or more player cards is 0 or 9;and resolving a posts player wager on the community hand by determiningwhether the value of the one or more community cards is 0 or 9.